Month: February 2024

Deer.

/ Andy Finnegan / 2 Comments

Back to the New Forest for a walk today but in rather damp conditions – several groups of Fallow Deer spotted and a single mature Roebuck with a good set of antlers in velvet.

I spend a lot of time considering natures camouflage – some of the Fallow Deer in the forest are very pale in colour as this young buck is – he was easily spotted at quite a distance the 3 other darker deer are well hidden. I would not have seen any deer if the pale buck was not there!

This group of hinds has a white member

Roebuck.

A hole hunt.

/ Andy Finnegan / 4 Comments

“So should we find a nest hole?”

” Well, I saw one over there”. “So let’s take a look”.

With the sun out I thought it was a good morning to make a visit to take a look at the local Ringed-necked parakeets to see if they were looking for nest holes.

The birds had found a hole which they were checking out. The male bird watched on as the female checked out the hole. ( the male parakeet has the neckband).

I hope this will be the chosen hole to nest in as I will be able to monitor it during the nesting season.

Diving for fish!

/ Andy Finnegan / 6 Comments

Cormorants are great divers for fish -although this one was unlucky while I watched the action.

Cormorant fishing is a traditional fishing technique that fishermen have used in China and Japan. They train the birds to catch fish. It was once a successful fishing method, today it serves the tourism industry. It is no longer used anywhere except in southwestern China.

To control the birds, the fishermen tie a loose rope near the base of the bird’s throat. The snare does not stop the bird from swallowing small fish but prevents the bird from swallowing larger fish, these are held temporarily in their gullet. When a cormorant has caught a fish in its throat, the fisherman brings the bird back to the boat to regurgitate the catch.

Worm Dance.

/ Andy Finnegan / 3 Comments

Over the last few years, I have noticed that Gulls mainly Herring Gulls sometimes Black-headed Gulls do what I call a “worm dance”.They stand on grassland often on the side of the road or in the centre of a roundabout either alone or in small groups and tap their feet. This tapping seems to encourage the worms to the surface, making a good meal. I have been watching bird behaviour all my life and this “worm dance” is relatively new. The birds must pass this trick on to each other as it is widespread here in the UK. I wonder if Gulls in other countries do this?

Park views.

/ Andy Finnegan / Leave a comment

The last month I have visited the city park with resident Ring Necked Parakeets at least once a week. Without fail each visit I have seen the birds. Normally I see 1 to 4 birds but I think there is a population of at least 6 around this site. Today despite the dull weather I was happy with my pictures.